The Relationship Between Music and Poetry

Poetry and music have a lot in common. They’re both very personal, and the best poems and songs share a common goal, which is to make you feel one specific thing. Both of these art forms share many similarities while also being unique in their own way.

Music without words has an immediate emotional power that resists translation into words, while poetry has a lasting meaning that cannot be expressed through melody alone.

Music and Poetry Emotionology | Daniel Kosel | TEDxBillingsMusic and Poetry Emotionology | Daniel Kosel | TEDxBillings

1. Music and poetry have a lot in common

The simplest and most obvious aspect of the relationship between poetry and songwriting is the way that both rely on rhythm, meter, rhyme, stress patterns, alliteration, and assonance to convey meaning.

2. Both music and poetry are forms of expression

They are both creative acts with the power to change lives. Both music and poetry are often used as an outlet for emotions, providing solace in times of trouble or joy. People can also gain a better understanding of themselves through poetry, while music enables listeners to reveal their deepest feelings through lyrics or tone of voice.

3. Both music and poetry rely on a combination of sound and silence

Whether it’s the silences in between musical notes, their timing, or the spaces in between words when reciting a poem, silence is an important part of both art forms. Even in bars where poets perform, there are usually long pauses after every sentence. Poetry also uses words that have no sound, such as “shhh!”

4. There are many different types of music and poetry

For example, a person might reference rap music or Shakespearean sonnets when talking about the relationship between music and poetry. These terms refer to different genres within each art form. Rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, blues, and hip-hop are some of the different musical genres. Free verse, haiku, and sonnets with rhyme are popular types of poetry.

5. Music and poetry share similar themes such as love, loss, and life

These themes are so common in both art forms that they have almost become clichés. Music and poetry can be used to express happiness, sadness, anger, or any other emotion, as well as various situations such as heartache or recovery from a relationship breakup.

6. Both music and poetry use patterns of words

The pleasure of poetic pattern - David SilversteinThe pleasure of poetic pattern – David Silverstein

A rhyme scheme is the pattern followed by words in a poem, while a meter defines the number of syllables in each line of verse. Poems also use different rhetorical devices to convey their meaning through sound and rhythm like alliteration (repetition of initial sounds), assonance (vowel sounds), or consonance (consonant sounds).

7. They both use rhythm to create emotion

The rhythm of music is created by the combination of different instruments or notes, while poetry has its own patterns to define the way words are said out loud. Poetry can convey meaning through poetic devices like assonance, alliteration, and repetition in its writing style. The proper diction and volume are crucial in poetry as well.

8. Poetry can be found in song lyrics while music can be found in poems

LYRICS Vs POETRY - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE(60 second songwriting lesson)LYRICS Vs POETRY – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE(60 second songwriting lesson)

Songwriters often use poetic devices in their lyrics and combine them with music. Some bands write songs that tell a story or express an emotion like pain, loss, or anger, which is similar to how poets can use words to paint a vivid picture of reality through creative expression.

Lyric poetry is a form of modern/formal poetry that communicates personal thoughts or experiences, usually in the first person. Lyric poetry, in essence, was made to be sung so the connection here is very obvious.

9. Both music and poetry are timeless

They have the power to connect people over time, making them relevant even when culture and context change. Despite the wide variety of music and poetry forms, their underlying similarities have allowed their meaning to remain unchanged throughout history.

Just as music is as relevant today as before, so is poetry. People still require a dose of music and even poetry in instances and scenarios of love, sadness, and growth.

10. Music can motivate people to create poetry while poetry can inspire musicians

This is because music and poetry both provide a way to understand oneself and the world around them. When people are overwhelmed with strong emotions, either art form can help them express themselves abstractly. This is why many musicians write songs about their own life events while poets frequently reference themes such as love and loss in their work.

Summary

Music and poetry have their own unique qualities, but they also share several similarities. Both have been around for thousands of years, providing a means to express emotions as well as other abstract ideas, such as love and loss. Although there are many different types of music and poetry, the relationship between these art forms remains unchanged since they both provide a way to express oneself.